HARRIS TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Minutes of March 10, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chairman Dennis Hameister, Supervisor Josephine Chesworth, Supervisor Nigel Wilson and Supervisor Cliff Warner

OTHERS PRESENT:

Todd Shea - Interim Township Manager / Zoning Officer; Lori Cahill – Secretary; DJ Liggett – CRPA; Don Murnyack – Harris Township Resident; Van Winter – Boalsburg Fire Company; John Drescher – C-Net; Pat Long – Harris Township Rental Appeals Board; Frances & Marvin Risius – Harris Township Residents.

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Hameister called the March 10, 2003 meeting of the Harris Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7:30 P.M.

Prior to the commencing of the meeting, Chairman Hameister led the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Warner, seconded by Supervisor Wilson and carried unanimously, the Board moved to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2003 Board of Supervisors minutes. Ayes – 3; Nays – 0 (Supervisor Chesworth Abstained)

CITIZENS COMMENTS:

No comments.

Chairman Hameister recognized the Centre Daily Times for a well-written article regarding Ken and Marge Tennis of the museum and that it reflected their interest in the Township.

TOWNSHIP BUSINESS:

A. MURNYACK SEWER SERVICE REQUEST.

Ms. Liggett stated Mr. Murnyack requested in November 2002 an exemption to the public sewer service requirements established by Act 537 for the lot on Bailey Lane. She stated that at that time, the Board of Supervisors denied the request.

Ms. Liggett stated that after an unsuccessful approach with neighbors regarding a possible easement, Mr. Murnyack returned in January 2003 with the same request and the Board denied that request as well.

Ms. Liggett stated that Mr. Murnyack and the University Area Joint Authority are in the process of working on other options to add public sewer other than a sewer easement. She stated that one would be to provide a public force main within the right-of-way of Bailey Lane and the other would be to provide service by gravity that would involve connecting to the rear portion of Mr. Murnyack’s property.

Ms. Liggett stated that the gravity method is the preferred method of University Area Joint Authority because it does not involve a pump station. She stated that this option is very expensive and would cost in the vicinity of $90,000.00 and would involve four manholes and the possibility of crossing 9 properties.

Ms. Liggett stated that the public sewer line along Bailey Lane to serve the Murnyack property has been reviewed by CRPA and that they are recommending that the Board suggest that Mr. Murnyack approach University Area Joint Authority with regard to option 1 that would involve the Township providing the right-of-way within Bailey Lane for public sewer to serve the Murnyack property. She stated the expected cost is to be in the $11,000.00 range.

Chairman Hameister questioned the location of the pumping, should properties need to connect in the future, and if the location for the Murnyack project be considered in a “what if” scenario.

Ms. Liggett stated that Cory Miller had indicated that in the event that the Blue Spring properties would have to connect to the public sewer line in the future, they would require a pump station themselves as well.

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Chesworth and seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried unanimously, the Board moved to suggest Mr. Murnyack meet with Cory Miller, Executive Director of the University Area Joint Authority, to pursue the option of a public force main within the right-of-way, outside of the cartway, of Bailey Lane. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

B. ASHWORTH WOODS PARK AGREEMENT.

Mr. Shea contacted Mr. Kalin regarding the agreement and discussion at the February Board of Supervisors meeting. He stated that Mr. Kalin agreed to everything but the installation of a pavilion and payment of $3,000 plus after the project was complete. He stated that if those two items were going to be insisted on by the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Kalin was no longer interested in talking. He stated that Mr. Kalin did agree that if funds allow, a pavilion would be included.

Chairman Hameister expressed concern with regard to signing an agreement when “Exhibit A” is still unknown to the Board and Staff.

Mr. Shea stated that he would get that information.

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Chesworth, seconded by Supervisor Wilson and carried unanimously, the Board moved to accept the most recent draft of the agreement. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

Supervisor Wilson expressed concern that Ashworth Woods has not been in compliance the entire time and the possibility that the agreement will not be honored.

Mr. Shea stated that as far as the pavilion is concerned, it would be nice to have one if financing is available. He stated that as far as the $3,000 is concerned, it would be counterproductive to hold up the agreement.

Supervisor Wilson questioned the consequences if they do not comply.

Mr. Shea stated that failure to comply with the requirements of the agreement would be referred to the Township Solicitor for further action.

C. ADOPTION OF THE SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN REVISION.

Ms. Liggett stated that this item was presented at the COG General Forum meeting in February and involves a request from Ferguson Township for an adjustment to the sewer service area for Ferguson Township. She stated that the request is to enlarge a small area and another area be deleted from the current Act 537 Plan. She stated that the reason all municipalities approve the change to the Act 537 Plan is that it is a regional plan that all the municipalities took action to approve in the beginning.

Chairman Hameister questioned the reason for the move and the history of abandonment of the Ferguson Township Authority.

Ms. Liggett stated that Ferguson Township was operating its own Sewage Treatment Plan and that plan was abandoned somewhere in the vicinity of 1999. She stated that sewage treatment handled by that plant was subsequently piped to UAJA for treatment and disposal.

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Wilson, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried unanimously, the Board moved to adopt Resolution No. 03-06 amending the Centre Region Act 537 Plan. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

D. COG REPORT REFERRALS.

Mr. Shea stated that at the February General Forum meeting the Ad Hoc New Program Committee Report was presented, which outlined necessary steps to receive, review, and approve new COG programs. He stated that the specific motion of the General Forum was:

“That the General Forum receive the report of the Ad Hoc New Program Committee and refer it to the participating municipalities for comment and, further, that municipal responses be forwarded to the Executive Director by May 5, 2003 for referral to the Ad Hoc New Program Committee.”

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Warner, seconded by Supervisor Chesworth and carried unanimously, the Board moved to forward response to the Executive Director that there was no further comment on the report. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

Chairman Hameister stated that the latest draft of the report from the Ad Hoc Regional Fire Protection Committee addressing the topics of hydrant specifications, rural water supplies, cul-de-sac lengths, etc. was also presented at the February General Forum meeting and reads as follows:

“That the General Forum receive the draft ordinance proposed by the Ad Hoc Regional Fire Protection Committee and refer it to the participating municipalities for review; and further, that comments be referred to the COG Executive Director by May 5, 2003 for distribution to the Ad Hoc Regional Fire Protection Committee.”

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Warner, seconded by Supervisor Wilson and carried unanimously, the Board moved to refer the latest draft of the Fire Protection Report to the Harris Township Planning Commission for review and comment at their March 17, 2003 meeting. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

E. PUBLIC SEWER SERVICE REQUEST – RANDOLPH AIKENS.

Mr. Shea stated that on March 5, 2003 staff received a written request from PennTerra Engineering requesting that the Aikens property be included in the Act 537 area.

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Chesworth, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried unanimously, the Board moved to forward the request for public sewer service for the Randolph Aikens properties to the Harris Township Planning Commission and CRPA for review and comment. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

F. 2000 BUILDING CODE ADOPTION UPDATE.

Mr. Shea stated that since the February meeting, he has spoken with the Township Solicitor Amos Goodall and Code Director Greg Mussi about the adoption of the 2000 Building Codes, the costs of legal ads, and the pending statewide building code mandate.

Mr. Shea stated that Mr. Goodall informed staff he could compose a shorter version of the legal ad that would be cheaper to advertise, but due to his scheduled vacation, he would perform the work in time for the adoption at the April Board of Supervisors meeting.

Mr. Shea stated that Mr. Mussi indicated if necessary, the Code Office would pay for the advertising fees. He stated that staff suggested to Mr. Mussi that the Code Office actively pursue a plan for payment of the region’s legal advertisement costs for adoption on the statewide codes when they are ready for adoption.

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Wilson, seconded by Supervisor Chesworth and carried unanimously, the Board moved to direct the Interim Manager to confirm with Mr. Goodall the desire to have him compose a shorter legal ad and direct staff to advertise the 2000 Building Code Amendments for adoption at the April 14, 2003 Board of Supervisors meeting. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

G. RESOLUTION NO. 03-04 – AMENDMENTS TO FEE SCHEDULE.

Mr. Shea stated that due to the implementation of the new open record policy and adoption of the new stormwater management ordinance, the fee schedule for the Township must be amended. He stated that the proposed resolution changes the appropriate fees and reaffirms all existing fees.

Chairman Hameister questioned the stormwater management regulation fee of $20 and what that fee includes.

Mr. Shea replied by stating that the fee includes 80 pages with maps staff would have to send to a separate place for copying due to the size of the maps.

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Warner, seconded by Supervisor Chesworth and carried unanimously, the Board moved to adopt Resolution No. 03-04 amending the Harris Township Fee Schedule. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

MANAGER’S REPORT:

Mr. Shea stated that the Maintenance Department deserves a great deal of credit for adjusting the salt/anti skid mix and quantity the trucks were putting down early enough in the season so that we were not in the situation many area municipalities were in-out of salt and money to purchase it.

Mr. Shea stated that the Boalsburg Fire Company and others also deserve a great deal of credit for digging out fire hydrants, both during the season and the last big storm. He stated that in speaking with the water authority, those volunteers saved the State College Borough Water Authority many man-hours in the last storm, which they greatly appreciated.

Mr. Shea also thanked Ken Inhoof who loaned his snowblower the morning of the storm to clear about two feet of snow from the sidewalks and the parking area in front of the building.

Mr. Shea stated that he has received one proposal with regard to the phone system.

Chairman Hameister questioned how the issue was originated.

Mr. Shea stated that the phone system had been installed in the early 80’s and to his understanding has never worked well. He stated that the closest service location is Erie.

He stated that the amount of equipment including training came to less than $3,000 in the recent proposal.

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:

Upon a motion made by Vice-Chairman Graham, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried unanimously, the Board moved to approve Voucher Transmittal Sheet No. 03-02. Ayes 4; Nays – 0.

COG COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Executive Committee Agenda has been set and executed for the General Forum.

Building Oversight Committee Reviewed bids for moving services.

Finance Committee Discussed the University's unwillingness to pay for MPO Expansion due to legal concerns. Also discussed Bellefonte's unwillingness to pay their fair share for MPO Expansion. There was discussion of CATA and the increase of funds they would like. Also reviewed an update on Schlow Library; they are about ready to start requesting funds from the municipalities.

Personnel Committee Meeting held on February 11, 2003. Elected officers and reviewed two position reclassifications of part-time to full-time, which included Recreation Supervisor for the Nature Center and an Administrative Assistant for the Alpha Fire Department. Discussed job description for a number of COG positions. Discussed a COG employee sick day donation program and are going to discuss further.

Code Committee Did not meet.

Public Services Committee Received solicitation for the refuse/recycling contract. Reply is due April 17, 2003.

Spring Creek Watershed Committee Received a presentation by Rob Cooper from the University Physical Plant with regard to what the University is doing for stormwater management.

SCCCTS Met on March 4, 2003. Reviewed alternate routes such as the Y2. Will receive comments and review them at the next meeting.

Regional Parks No meeting.

Transportation Committee Re-elected officers. Discussed MPO Expansion, but waiting to see what happens with the County.

H. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Chairman Hameister recessed the Harris Township Board of Supervisors Meeting to Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.

Personnel issues were discussed during Executive Session.

The meeting reconvened at 9:08 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:

Upon a motion made by Supervisor Chesworth, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried unanimously, the March 10, 2003, meeting of the Harris Township Board of Supervisors adjourned at 9:09 p.m. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.

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Todd Shea, Interim Township Manager